Madison launches 'Meet and Eat' food cart festival

Anyone familiar with the Madison food scene knows you don't need a permanent address to make great meals, and now food cart fans have a new reason to celebrate.

The city is launching "Madison Meet and Eat," a gathering of food carts set for four summer evenings in July and August. Vendors often seen on the Capitol Square and the end of State Street will come together to serve up good meals in a "neighborhood atmosphere," according to a news release.

Officials also hope the carts can cater to residents of the city's Meadowood neighborhood on the Southwest Side who might not have easy access to healthy food.

According to a city news release, the carts will come together on four straight Thursdays starting July 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Meadowood Shopping Center, 5800 Raymond Road.

These four events are a pilot program of sorts -- the city hopes to make Madison Meet and Eat an annual summer event that rotates around different city neighborhoods.

Food carts like Caracas Empanadas, the Hibachi Hut, Luangprabang and Ernie's Kettle Korn are among those scheduled to attend this first round of Meet and Eat gatherings.